Fig slicing machine



June 12, 1934. H. KRUM Er AL 1,962,779

FIG sLIcING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1931 3 Sheets-sheetl 1 w1 C Q INVENTORS H. Amml Geo. Prea// a J. H. Chambers i June12, 1934. H', KRUM HAL 1,962,779

FIG SLICING- MACHINE Filed July 5. 1931 '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS H. /1 rum, 660. Prea// i J. H. Chamb ers Y BY @me .D-11.

ATTORNEY June 12, 1934. y H, KRUM- Er AL 1,962,779

FIG SLICING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS H. Kram, Geo. Prea// 5 JH. Chambers E @....dLM/l ATTORNEY Patented June 12, 1934 nire s'rA'riEs PATENT oFFIcE Application July e, 1931, serial No. 548,768

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a machine for slicing figs, and to one particularly designed for use in connection with the iig inspecting system shown in the co-pending application for patent of Messrs. Holmes and Clarke, Serial No. M1660, filed June 29, 1931. This system deals with the cutting up for inspection purpose, of whole dried figs for conversion into iig paste and similar products, and we have found that cutting the gs into thin slices greatly facilitates their inspection and permits of a mo-re accurate inspection with a minimum of labor.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a machine for cutting the figs into thinner slices than can be obtained with any machine previously available, and so ocnstructed that all the slices will be positively separated from each other. This enables the entire sectional area of each slice to be subsequently fully exposed to the eyes of the inspectors, Without the necessity of the slices being manually pulled apart to complete their separation, and minimizing the chances of infected or damaged slices being overlooked in the inspection.

the probability of all infected areas being exposed is obviously much greater than with thick slices, since the likelihood of an infected portion being entirely concealed within a slice and invisible from its outer faces is reduced to a minimum.

As a result of the actual use.- of this slicing machine, we have found that the subsequent inspection of the slices may be so easily, quickly and properly accomplished that it is possible to use a low grade of figs which heretofore had been considered useless for this purpose, with a minimum of labor for inspection and still produce an ultimate product which will meet the most severe government tests for quality, and also the finished product will present as attractive an appearance as if only the finest appearing gs were used in its manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects we accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following "o specification and claim.

In the drawing similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the slicing machine.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same.

By reason of the fact that the slices are thin.,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional plan taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawing, l denotes a :r

pair of transversely spaced vertical side frames, which are mounted on horizontal beams 2 or the like between which the endless inspection belt 3 is disposed. Mounted on top of the frames are horizontally spaced pairs of journal boxes 4 in which shafts 5 are mounted. These shafts support the slicing mechanism to be described later. The ,shafts are individually driven at different speeds and so that their upper peripheries turn toward each other by suitable means Ysuch as sep-V arate electric motors 6, mounted to one side of the frame, and operatively connected to the shafts outside the framesby suitable gearing, as indicated at 7. One pair of journal boxes and the corresponding motor are mounted for horizontal movement along the frames so that the distance between the shafts may be altered.

Mounted on said shafts between the frames is a plurality of thin cutting discs 8, whose edges are ground from both sides, those on one shaft being arranged in overlapping relation to those on the other shaft. The discs are all spaced an equal distance apart, those on one shaft being disposed-centrally between lthose on the other` shaft. The spacing is preferably such that the distance between adjacent discs of the two shafts is approximately a quarter of an inch. This has been found to be the best thickness for fig slices, but it is to be understood that if used to slice other products, it might be found desirable to alter this spacing.

The use of two rows of cutting discs enables thinner slices to be cut than could be practicable with a single row -of discs, and also causes the cutting unit to clean itself by centrifugal action.

The discs on each shaft are held separated the proper distance by spacer discs 9 each having a peripheral groove 10 into which the edge of the corresponding cutting disc on the opposite shaft projects.

This arrangement is plainly shown in Fig. 3. This is a very important feature, since the spacers are relatively thick or wide compared to the cutting discs, and form stops or supporting shoulders for the figs being cut; and the cutting edges of the discs projecting inwardly of said stops, the figs are necessarily cut completely through. The discs turning at dilferent speeds gives them a shearing action through the fruit, which enhances the effectiveness of the cutting action. One shaft being capable of adjustment toward Ythe other, permits of the proper positioning of the cutting discs relative to the spacer grooves being maintained even after the cutting discs have been worn down from use and are smaller in diameter than their original size.

The cutting and spacing discs are clamped together and in driving relation with their shafts by end collars on the shafts which are engaged by nuts 12 screwed onto the shafts inwardly of the journal boxes. The cutting structure is boxed in by an enclosure 13 projecting upwardly from the frames l inwardly of the adjusting nuts 12. On top of the enclosure and over the discs is a feed hopper 14 into which the igs to be out are fed from a chute 15. To aid in feeding the iigs into cutting relationship with the discs, a ratchet surfaced feed roll 16 is disposed between the top of the disc and the bottom of the hopper in parallel relationship to the discs toward one side of the hopper or centrally between the discs. This roll, as will be noted from Fig. 2 of the drawing, while positioned at one side of the hopper 14 lies centrally between the two sets of cutting discs 8, and in relatively close proximity thereto, so that the distance between the roll and either set of discs is less than any diameter of the figs to be cut by the discs. This position and spacing is 0I" distinct importance in the invention. The prime objective of our invention is to cut the dried gs into! thin uniform slices so that they may be laid out in unbroken relation for inspection purposes. They must therefore not be hashed, chopped or ground up. Thus in our invention as the soft dried gs ieed down from the hopper 14, individual figs are contacted by the roller 16 and pressed into the adjacent set of cutting discs 8. Since the space between the roller and the set of cutting discs is insufficient for the lig to loosely pass between the same the pressing action of the roller causes the adjacent set of discs 8 to make initial slicing outs into the igs thus deiiriitely starting the slicing action. The roller then holds the iigsempaled on the cutting discs 8 until they are carried to the adjacent co-operating set of cutting discs moving in the opposite direction. These coeoperating sets of discs then start the intermediate slicing cuts into the figs and this double slicing action is completed as the figs move through the sets of discs. At no time after the initial slicing cuts are made in the g can it shift or turn from position so that the iinal effective thin and positive slicing action is assured. The shaft 17 ofa this roll is rotated at a speed less than that of the discs and in a direction so that its upper periphery turns down and toward the opposite side of the hopper. This rotation may be accomplished by any suitable means, such as a chain drive 18 connecting the shaft 17 with the relatively fixed shaft 5.

To keep the discs in a non-sticky condition, perforated hot water and steam pipes 19 extend transversely of the enclosure to spray against the adjacent surfaces of the discs. The enclosure at its ends extends down between the side frames 1 and at one end terminates above the belt so as to allow the figs dropping onto the same from between the cutters to pass into the openfrom under the enclosure without any interference.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that we have produced such a device as substantially ullls the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as dened by the appended claim.

Having thus described our invention what we claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A fig slicing machine comprisinghorizontally disposed co-operating sets of cutting discs rotatable toward each other, means to feed iigs adjacent one set of discs, a feed roller disposed parallel to the discs and in relatively close proximity thereto so that the space between the roller and discs is less than any diameter of the rigs, such roller functioning to first press the rigs intoone set of discs to eiect initial slicing cuts and maintaining the iigs empaled on the discs in that partially cut position until they are carried into engagement with the co-operating set of discs.

HENRY KRUM. GEORGE PREALL. JAMES H. CHAMBERS. 

